So, how is everybody a Pistons fan exactly...?
by blubomber17 on Feb 19, 2012 11:13 PM EST
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PrintI'm sure this has been done before, but hopefully not recently; in the game threads recently, I've noticed a lot of us have to resort to feeds or league pass to watch our awesome (but usually crappy) Pistons. So, I was wondering; how did you all become fans of the Pistons? Was it maybe the actual Bad Boy era that drew you in? Did you grow up in the metro Detroit area? Me personally, I live about 20 minutes away from Detroit; I know, the Palace is in Auburn Hills, but point being I live in this area. I'm a giant Detroit sports homer and the Pistons are my team. I mean, I love the NBA as a whole, and a handful of other teams as well, but the Pistons have my heart, as does DBB.
Now, to pick up on a meme (or totally steal someone's signature phrase, to which I apologize), your thoughts.
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Well, I honestly didn't care about basketball growing up.
although I had an Isaiah Thomas poster. My uncle bought me a Pistons t-shirt after that ‘04 championship which sparked my curiosity a bit. 2005 rolled around and I still didn’t really watch until the Finals when I decided I might as well see what the hype was all about. I wouldn’t say I got hooked right then, but I started actually watching during the regular season, caring during the post-season, and slightly paying attention during the off-season.
My interest grew with every game I watched, and getting to watch good basketball for all those seasons really helped me appreciate the game itself. I really didn’t start to learn much about basketball until I started reading MTSM (the first Pistons blog I ever payed attention too) and then later SBNation forced you people on me when the made the DBB merger.
Very glad for it, because I now know what an assist is.
The Original Bad Boys
my cousin was a big fan of the Pistons back in the day and tried getting me to watch the original bad boys, but I was too young to care and had more interest in skateboarding and doing other random not so kosher stuffs.
Then Grant Hill was drafted and for some reason, and I have no idea why, my parents bought me “Grant Hill NBA Sensation”. I decided to watch it one day for the heck of it. It chronicles his early life, time at Duke, and his first season or two in the NBA. I still remember it. In his first NBA game the Pistons won the tip and Dumars threw an alley-oop to Hill for his first NBA basket. I was now a Pistons fan.
I’m also big into statistics and with the metrics out there and the debates I mean this is just a great game to follow overall.
Another tidbit – Grant Hill was the first and only rookie to ever lead any sport in all-star votes.
awesome! I have that VHS, too
I’ve been a Pistons fan my whole life — I’ve got some awesome paraphernalia from my Dad and older bros from the Bad Boys era; even though i was too young to really remember the games live, I’ve seen the tapes and have read/watched so much that it feels like I was totally conscious during it — but Grant Hill was how I remember turning into a die-hard. I have a desk/dresser combo at my parents house in MI with Grant Hill stuff (cards, videos, magazines, books, etc.) filling the top two shelves to the edges, still collecting dust. I’ve got about four different Hill jerseys hanging from the top-sides to this day, including a GOLD/TEAL signed jersey from when I went to his camp. I was so obsessed I would go to my Dad’s car during little league baseball games when my team was hitting and I wasn’t up or if I wasn’t in the game to listen to Mark Champion, and Blaha during the playoffs. When I played basketball, I always tried to emulate Hill’s quick first jab-step/cross over and wore No. 33, of course.
When he took his talents to Disney World, I was heart broken for pretty much that entire next season (and the Pistons winning 30some games didn’t help). I seriously considered for the first time in my life, after years of giving my little brother shit for liking IVERSON and BRETT FAVRE, about following Hill and becoming a Magic fan. I didn’t, thank Jod, but I was admittedly less passionate about the Pistons until I was invited to see the Celtics clinch the 2nd round against the Pistons in 2001-2002. I watched games during the season and the first round, but seeing them lose in person like that really made me want to see them win that much more. Over the next two seasons, I followed the team religiously, went to more than half of the home regular season games and then every home playoff game except for the ‘04 Finals because our ticket source all of a sudden became big fans (although I don’t know if I’d trade in the memories I have watching with a big group of friends).
It was harder to follow the team while I was in college due to everything else going on, but I found DBB around its inception, started blogging on my own to try and feel closer to all my favorite Detroit teams, and then, in 2009, I noticed SB Nation didn’t have a Pistons blog, so I applied for it and got it (because I really think they were desperate to just fill out so they could say they had a blog for every team), and then merged with DBB a year and a half later. And here we are today, friends
i didn't grow up watching the bad boys
cause i wasn’t even alive back then. I did watch the nba since 2003 and somehow I grew up liking what Ben did. I love his way of playing tough energetic intense defense. Then it comes the glorious 2004 and the heartbreaking 2005. 2006-2008 was pretty flat for me. I did not get much excitement watching them during the period. 2009-2011 was just horrible. This year it seems worse but looking at frank, monroe, JJ and knight and probably stuckey? I do have high hopes for them. All we need is that high draft pick and all is good.
Well, I suppose it's my turn
First off, I’m super stoked to see I had a smart idea to contribute. I even have a rec. Yay, :)
My history… hm. I too was not alive to witness the Bad Boys; I was born around then. I have faint memories of Jerry Stackhouse and Grant Hill on the Pistons, but they never really went anywhere. I DO remember Grant’s injuries the second he left us (or soon thereafter). I can’t recall what happened to Stack; that’s a Wiki check away. (Ah, traded to the Wizards for Rip; the memory kinda comes back.)
I do remember the “Big 5” if you will. We went on a tear for a couple years, then got that Rasheed Wallace guy. During the glory years, my house were Wings fans… until the lockout, which we then shifted to basketball. We were always tuned in to the playoffs, but usually not so much the regular season. I started actually following the Pistons religiously (exhibition and regular season) about 4 years ago. That last run with Chauncey, Rip, Sheed, and Tay. Then, that offseason of no sacred cows. I was scared. I never thought it’d be Chauncey to go. And for an aging Iverson? Sure, the Pistons might have still been good in NBA 2k, but in real life it was awful. I now know what the 8th seed means; I definitely took it for granted (I mean, we still sucked), and that was the last playoff basketball for our boys.
I remember the BG and Chunky signings. They scared me, but I thought, “fuck, maybe this could all work, Joe D can’t be that retarded still, right?” Yeah, as we all know, wrong. That shit blew up big time, and here we are today. I do remember when these two blogs were separate as well; Packey, correct me if I’m wrong but I believe you were the main/only contributor to MTSM?
I guess it should be thrown out there that since the Pistons suckage began, I began to branch out and develop a love for the game of basketball and the NBA as a whole. I enjoy several Western Conference teams; most notably those Memphis Grizzlies. They remind me of that going to work attitude with their grit and grind slogan. But the Pistons are always number one in my heart. I wish I could go to more of their games.
by blubomber17 on Feb 20, 2012 7:50 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Obviously I'm the old geezer
I recall the Bob Lanier/Dave Bing days! I’m not a native Detroiter, either. When I was about 12 I became a Lions fan – I thought the Blue Lion on the silver helmet looked really cool. Then I became a Tigers fan (Mickey Lolich was awesome!), and gradually became a Pistons fan, as well. Growing up and living most of my life in VA, I haven’t been able to watch as many games per season as you guys. But the Bad Boys were on TV – especially for the playoffs, and so was our last NBA champs and the playoff teams of the next few years. Since my last name is Wallace, you know I was high on Big Ben and Rasheed. We went through some bitter playoff losses to Boston and LA with Bad Boys before we finally came out on top, which made those titles especially sweet. Beating LA in 2004 was amazing – all the more because no one expected it. I was in Hawaii on vacation for the first part of that series (it was strange to watch the games in the afternoon), and was so proud of how we won the first game and almost won the second. Then when we went back to Detroit and took all three – the last game we demolished the Lakers! – I was really thrilled.
I live in TN now, and for my birthday next month my wife and I are going to Memphis to watch the Pistons play the Griz. I’ll be wearing my old #3 Ben Wallace jersey and rooting for my Pistons!
The Dip fam is from Roseville/Warren and I’m currently in Saginaw. My dad loved the Bad Boys, I was just a little too young to give a damn. I do remember watching some games with him just to hang out with the guys. I watched a few Pistons games throughout the 90s, but I’d say I was more a casual fan of the league at that point. Then, a friend and I were having a couple drinks some 2002 night and flipped the game on. It was exciting and there was George Blaha so I watched a few more games. The next season was when the hook was set. That tough fought series with New Jersey and all the potential that just made you know if we had one more game we’d be right there. I remember when they made the line up switch of Chauncey for Chucky Atkins and I was livid. I saw Chauncey hitting the big shots, NFZ, Sheed trade, Tay Block, hook, line and sinker. I’ve been getting reeled in ever since.
I should also note that almost all my friends bailed who used to watch with me and people laugh in my face when I tell them I’m a die-hard Pistons fan nowadays :(
Bandwagon ass-cats…
by JoeDip on Feb 20, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I think you, me, and Trout should try to get together somewhere to watch a game sometime.
Go to bar, have some drinks, watch some Pistons, start a bar fight.
Not quite sure to be honest.
And I can drive pretty much anywhere. Maybe Trout knows of a place, in the meantime I’ll ask my bar frequenting friends where a good spot to catch the game might be at.
Warren...
I’m not sure where it is exactly, but I believe it’s near me. I’m over in Garden City.
by blubomber17 on Feb 20, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
I moved to Windsor from Newfoundland in late 1987, and my first NBA game was Pistons-Lakers at the Silverdome on January 8, 1988 – 40,000+ fans, and we were the furthest from the court. Game was insane. Byron Scott went off (35 points per BBR) and became my little brother’s favourite player…pretty sure he won the game on free throws (Pistons lost by two). The intensity got me hooked, and I started playing ball all the time. Went to the St. Denis Centre at the University of Windsor, where the Pistons held their training camp, and got a bunch of autographs (Rodman, Salley, maybe Buddah?). Vividly remember Isiah’s 25 point 3rd Q v. the Lakers in the 1988 finals – on crutches before the game, limping everywhere – instantly my idol – I wore 11 in every sport I played. The Grant Hill era was so exciting, and they had a team that might have developed into something special, in my opinion, but they just couldn’t convince guys to stick around. Hurt a lot when Hill left…still remember where I was when I heard that he wasn’t coming back. The Billups/Wallace-led teams were a gift. I got my wife hooked, and we’d drive up for a few regular season games, and we saw probably 10 playoff games from 2003-2006, including a bunch of clinchers. My favourite was when they eliminated the Nets to head to the finals, and Ben Wallace was knocking down jumpers like vintage Dell Curry. Big fan.
Scott Hastings was the greatest player in the league in Bulls vs. Lakers.
2005
I was not alive during the Bad Boys era. I grew up in Nepal so we didn’t watch any basket ball games. I moved to Houston in 2002, but I didn’t really care for sports. Then I visited Austin for a party. It was during the Finals ,and we were watching game 6. With Austin so close to San Antonio everyone there was a Spurs fan. That’s when I decided to root for the Pistons in the finals.Watching the Pistons win got me really excited and ever since then I have been a Pistons fan. I think what really helped me continue to watch the Pistons play, was the period of great play, when we were shoo in’s for ECF.
I'll keep this somewhat short.
My dad is from Western PA so my brothers and I are naturally fans of everything Pittsburgh and Penn State. Pittsburgh does not have a pro basketball team, so I am a Pistons fan. However, until I was about 12 I was a bandwagon ass cat and cheered for everything Jordan. Then I started to really learn the game and watch the Pistons with my brother. I was pretty young during the Bad Boys days, so I guess I really became a fan in the late 90’s/early 00’s.
All the time relaxed.
My dad bought us a basketball rim after the ‘90 championship. I was only 7 years old, but I loved basketball ever since. I knew little about the Pistons until 1994 when Grant Hill arrived — I was a huge Bulls fan before then, as was everyone else. I watched every game that came on TV (we didn’t have cable, so I could only see about half of the season). But when they weren’t on TV, I would listen to George Blaha on the radio…doesn’t get any die hard than that.
Incredibly die hard, except for...
…originally being a Bulls fan.
Back-to-back Bulls fans converting to Pistons fans? I think I’m too old for this board…
Scott Hastings was the greatest player in the league in Bulls vs. Lakers.
I'm another.
I was a Bulls fan and * cowers in shame * a Jordan fan (Sorry.) until he retired the first time. There was a season of limbo, 1993-94, where I didn’t really identify with any team, but I do remember loving the 1994 Finals between Hakeem and Ewing. After that, I latched on the my favorite college player – Mr. Grant Henry Hill – due to my undying love for Dook Basketball. (Hey, Skylar.)
Growing up in Iowa, I didn’t have the luxury of rooting for a hometown team so I just rooted for individual players.
No cool story. Just random luck o’ the draw, I guess.
I cheered hard for Jordan and the Bulls during their second title run after hating them entirely during their first run. I was a teenager who loved basketball. It was hard not to admire that crazy good team, and eventually, admiration turned into fandom for me.
"With logic he attacks. With statistics he defends."
First Pistons game I watched was the May 19, ‘05 win over Indiana. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Reggie Miller’s last game. I was enthralled by the slow, systematic, methodical beatdown they laid on the Pacers, then the classiness they showed when Miller finally bowed out of the game.
Been in love ever since.
By default, really
I was born and raised in Michigan, and basketball has been my passion since I was a toddler, literally. The first sport I ever showed interest in was basketball (so I’m told), and the first sport I ever played was basketball (so I’m told).
I was born in 83 and have faint childhood memories of the Bad Boys. I would watch games with my dad and get way too into them. I have very distinct memories of crying when they would lose (regular season games at that). Kinda funny, I still “cry” about the Pistons by way of venting on DBB.
I adored Grant Hill, but as basketball is my first love, and my love of the Pistons is secondary, I cheered for other teams during the Teal Years when the Pistons had no chance at anything meaningful. I did cheer for the Rodman iteration of the Bulls, even, and I pulled really, really hard for Sacramento when the Kobe/Shaq Lakers were dominant.
It’s too bad I didn’t discover DBB until the Going to Work Pistons were in rapid decline and eventually dissolved. Now, I do a lot more complaining than anything, but before this team sucked, I talked more trash than Sheed (honestly). You’d be hard pressed to have found someone as passionate about their team as I was that Pistons team.
Anyway, this stretch of Pistons basketball has been really hard on me. I’m sort of adopting OKC and Denver right now, because I find this Pistons team hard to watch (although the last 10 games have been fun, even if I really want a new unibrow), and I really do love to watch good basketball.
However, Rodney Stuckey is playing like the player I’d hoped he become during his rookie season (more on that during the all star break), and Jonas and Moose play the game the right way. I hope Stuckey really has turned a corner and isn’t just teasing us again with a short spurt of good play. If he has, his contract is actually a great asset.
And at this point, I am basically just rambling, so I’ll stop, lol.
"With logic he attacks. With statistics he defends."
when Rasheed was traded to the Pistons
I was a big Portland fan back then (because of him), and then when he got traded to the Pistons I kind of like the entire team as well, mostly because of their defensive approach to the game. I’m still a big fan of the team, even after Rasheed’s departure.
By chance
In 2005 two big events happened that, working as a tandem, served as catalysts for me becoming a Pistons fan. First, and more importantly, my family got a dish network antenna,so I could actually watch and follow US sports ( I don’t think I had internet yet). Secondly, Carlos Arroyo was traded to the Pistons so that seemed like the obvious team to follow. It helped that I was a MSU fan (first basketball game I watched the day they installed the antenna was MSU against Syracuse, I think. So I decided to watch more of that team in green), and both teams being from Michigan made it even more obvious.
Fire Joe Dumars
I blame Jonas for being a Piston fan…
Go Sweden, go!
by sozz on Feb 21, 2012 6:18 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
My story (and a bunch of others)!
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2010/4/1/1401394/the-origin-of-your-fandom
Good find
And what I coincidence I opened very similarly.
I´ll take this oppertunity to quit lurking and step out from the shadows… As sozz I also blame Jonas for following the Pistons. Basketball has been a big part of my life för a long time and watching the NBA went hand in hand with that interest. My first contact with the NBA was in the early 90`s and since then my favourit player has always been Scottie Pippen. I realize that naming a Bulls player might not get me a good start at DBB, but my excuse is (as always), I´m sweedish…
I actually lived and played in the same city as JJ his last year in Sweden and it was fun following him when he left to play in Italy, and when the draft came up it sparked a new interest in the NBA that had faded away for a few years. So when it was clear that he was going to Detroit there was no other option than to order leaguepass and it didn´t take long to find DBB either, where I´ve been lurking ever since
by SweedIndeed on Feb 22, 2012 4:02 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Is it safe to assume that you are incredibly handsome and androgynous?
Scott Hastings was the greatest player in the league in Bulls vs. Lakers.
by newfy on Feb 22, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ha, my secret plan is to word by word turn DBB into an all swedish community. Also, I will shortly begin accepting students in my new DBB swedish for dummies class
by SweedIndeed on Feb 23, 2012 1:33 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I grew up in Michigan
From the tri city area originally, and pretended to be Joe Dumars when I was a kid. I remember on the playground we would fight over who ‘got to be isaiah thomas’ when we played. I was born in 83, so I went through the bad boys era and was a fan, although I honestly didn’t watch many actual games. Mostly because I was more interested in pretending to be a superhero. I admit that I mostly checked out in the 90s as I was into other stuff, but I came back in the early 00s after the lockout and it proved to be good timing. Now, I don’t know how I lived without it.
My career forced me out of Michigan since the only place willing to pay for my service is in Oklahoma. When I moved here, I decided that internet friends were the only way to satisfy my need to commiserate (at this point) about the Pistons. Then I found DBB. I am not always here, but God I love it when I am.
by Ra's Head on Feb 22, 2012 5:58 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Since we're talking about other teams we've rooted for ...
I’ll go back to the ABA days when my brother and I were season ticket holders for the Virginia Squires. We got to cheer for a couple of decent players on that team – Dr. J and George Gervin among them. Seeing the Doc as a rookie was awesome. I’ll never forget watching him play. “Naismith invented basketball; Dr. J made it an art form.”
Born in Michigan. Moved away as a kid to Louisiana so I simply said fuck it to the Teal era. Started following as much as I could once I noticed that the Pistons were getting good again with Carlisle as coach. Moved back to Michigan in 2003 and promptly delivered the Pistons a title. I take full credit. You are welcome! Haha! I’m a bandwagon ass cat! But a damn successful one!
And yeah, I probably really started off as a Bulls fan. But my name’s Scott and my boy was always Scottie Pippen growing up of course. So fuck you, other Bulls fan! And that was just a phase! And I grew the fuck out of it!
I love me some Pistons B-Ball!
To experience the consequences of my own choices. This is why I live
i became a fan because of grant hills sprite commercials
yea, i know, 7-year-old-bandwagonasscats are the worst..
long, smooth, can stroke it
by jay_uno on Mar 6, 2012 8:49 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I really miss Sprite Remix.
shit was tight. So I mix it with some Capt. Morgan Parrot Bay to achieve a similar effect.
Isiah....
Became a fan back when Isiah and Dominique would go at it in the playoffs for the right to get spanked by the Celtics in the mid 80’s. My fondest memory is being at the game against the Hawks in the Silverdome when Isiah took that double pump baseline jumper to win the game and danced with the ball in hand under the basket. I was hooked !!
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